Travel Insurance Plans on PolicyBazaar#1
- Individuals
- Sr. Citizens
- Students
What is Travel Health Insurance?
An international travel and health insurance is a type of travel insurance policy that helps cover medical emergencies whenever you travel outside India. It is a no-brainer that overseas healthcare costs abroad are much higher than those in India. If you get hospitalised abroad for something as common as a viral fever, it can cause a big dent in your trip budget.
In short, an international medical insurance policy covers your medical expenses, ensuring stress-free travel. You can buy international travel medical insurance from India, depending on your trip requirements or purpose. They are available in the following types:
Some travel insurance companies in India also provide specific overseas travel medical insurance for employment abroad. Regardless of age and purpose of travelling, you can easily buy medical insurance for overseas travel from India for your trips.
Key Features of Overseas Mediclaim Policy & Medical Coverage
When choosing an overseas mediclaim policy, understanding your healthcare features makes sure you aren't unprepared in case of an emergency. Here are some of the ways in which a travel medical insurance policy can benefit you:
Enjoy cashless travel insurance treatment across network hospitals globally. No need to pay any upfront out-of-pocket costs.
You can choose flexible medical coverage options ranging from USD 50,000 up to USD 1,000,000 depending on destination healthcare costs.
Get coverage for life-threatening emergencies arising from underlying health conditions like high BP, asthma, diabetes, cancer, etc.
Comprehensive travel medical insurance plans cover hospital room rent, ICU charges, doctor consultations, diagnostic tests, and prescribed medicines.
Access round-the-clock emergency assistance helplines to coordinate hospital admissions and medical evacuations anywhere in the world.
Why Buy a Travel and Health Insurance Plan?
Overseas medical insurance is essential for all kinds of travellers, no matter their trip duration or destination. International health insurance is ideal for people who want to safeguard themselves primarily from emergency healthcare expenses during their trip.
Ideally, if you plan to go overseas, then you should buy a comprehensive travel and health insurance policy. This is because most overseas travel medical insurance policies with health coverage only provide coverage for medical and accidental emergencies. It is good to buy comprehensive overseas travel and medical insurance with coverage for travel-related emergencies like trip delays, baggage insurance, missed connection flights, etc.
For people who only wish to be covered for medical emergency expenses and other trip-related coverage is not their priority, medical insurance for foreign travel is best. It also makes sense if they are already covered for travel and flight-related adversities by other means, such as credit card travel insurance or another policy like corporate insurance. However, it is always wise to buy travel insurance online with comprehensive coverage for any overseas trip.
How Much Does International Health Insurance Cost in India?
The cost of international medical insurance in India ranges from INR 19/day. However, this depends on many factors like traveller’s age, trip duration, risks of a destination and coverage limits. Thankfully, finding a cheap international health insurance is not difficult once you compare plans online. You can find plans for your trip for the recommended coverage within your budget:
| Destination | Recommended Coverage (USD) | Primary Factors |
| Asia & Middle East | USD 50,000 - USD 100,000 | Accidents, food sickness, trip/flight-related issues |
| Schengen & Europe | USD 35,000 - USD 100,000 | Mandatory for Schengen visa requirement (EUR 30,000 minimum coverage) |
| USA & Canada | USD 100,000 - USD 500,000 | Exceptionally high medical costs |
| Worldwide (Excl. USA/Canada) | USD 100,000 - USD 250,000 | Standard international rates |
How to Buy Travel Health Insurance?
Travel insurance provides a layer of protection for your trip. Buying travel insurance is simple. Follow the steps below to get online travel insurance for your trip.
What does the Travel Health Insurance cover?
Covered in policy
An international trip health insurance policy financially protects you in case of several adversities. Some of its key benefits are mentioned below:
Medical Illness Treatment
Any emergency medical expenses that you may incur because of a treatment during the trip will be covered under the overseas medical insurance policy. This includes hospitalisation due to illness or an accident-related injury. Some foreign travel health insurance may also cover pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses up to a fixed number of days.
Personal Accident
Accidents are an unfortunate part of life, and if you meet with an accident while abroad, your medical travel insurance policy will bear the treatment expenses. It will also compensate you in case you suffer from any partial or permanent disability due to that accidental injury. In the event of death, a lump-sum amount is paid to the nominee.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
Your international travel health insurance policy will cover costs to rescue you in case you are in a remote area or region where you can’t get the necessary medical treatment during an emergency. It will cover the costs of your medical evacuation urgently to the nearest medical help. This covers the transportation costs, including ambulance or air ambulance charges, depending on the coverage provided by your insurer.
Repatriation
In case of an accident or illness that may lead to your demise, your international health insurance will cover the costs of transporting the mortal remains to your home country. It also covers the burial/cremation costs of the insured person in the foreign country if required.
Emergency Dental Treatment
If you have acute dental pain and need emergency dental treatment during your trip abroad, it will be covered by the medical travel insurance policy. However, not all insurers offer this benefit, and you must choose a plan carefully. Routine dental procedures or pre-existing dental conditions are not covered.
Travel Health Insurance Add-ons
A handful of travel insurers in India also offer additional coverage beyond travel medical insurance. While some insurers may offer these covers as part of basic coverage, other travel insurance companies may provide them for an additional premium. Take a look at some of the additional covers or add-ons available under an international trip health insurance policy:
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Pre-Existing Diseases Cover: If you have a pre-existing disease (PED) and receive treatment for it, it is generally not covered by insurers. However, with this add-on, your medical insurance for international travel will cover the treatment expenses for your declared PED.
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Treatment for Adventure Sports Injuries: Thrilling but risky activities like scuba diving, trekking, bunjee jumping, dune bashing, etc., are not covered by travel health insurance. But having an adventure sports add-on can help cover any related emergency treatment costs.
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Flight Delays: If your scheduled flight gets delayed for more than a specified number of hours, then the insurer will compensate you for losses incurred. These usually include emergency hotel extension and other reasonable expenses as per the policy.
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Personal Liability: In case a legal liability is imposed on you for causing injuries or damages to a third party, overseas travel and medical insurance will help pay compensation on your behalf. However, this benefit is only applicable if the damage was unintentional.
Not Covered in policy
Most travel medical insurance policies do not cover the following events or situations:
If you are travelling against the doctor’s advice, then the travel insurance with health coverage will not pay for any medical expenses incurred during the trip.
Most insurers do not provide coverage for any pre-existing medical condition or illness under travel health insurance plans unless purchased as an add-on cover for PED coverage.
Any medical expenses incurred on the treatment of an illness or injury arising due to the consumption of intoxicants, such as alcohol and drugs, will not be covered.
No medical expenses incurred on cosmetic treatment, or elective cosmetic surgery will be covered.
In case the insured traveller takes medical treatment for any self-inflicted injuries, such as suicide or an attempt to suicide, it will not be covered by the travel health insurance policy.
If the insured traveller receives treatment through Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Siddha and Unani during the trip, your travel insurance for overseas trip will not cover the expenses incurred.
Most insurance companies do not cover any expenses incurred on the treatment of any injury or illness arising due to participation in adventure sports activities, such as rafting and skiing, during the trip.
If the insured travellers receive treatment for any mental health condition during the trip, the medical expenses incurred will not be covered under the travel medical insurance policy.
Claim Procedure for Travel Health Insurance
In case of a situation that requires you to raise a claim, you can do so by contacting Policybazaar.com or the insurer at the provided helpline. Depending on your claim type, you will have to provide some documents. If you wish to register your claim through Policybazaar, you can get in touch with our claims support team in case of any emergency by clicking on the link which will be shared on your WhatsApp. You can also mail us at travelclaims@policybazaar.com or call us on 1800-258-5881.
These are the documents you must keep ready for your travel insurance claim:
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For Medical Claims
Claim forms, Original admission/discharge card, if applicable, Original Bills, Receipts, Prescriptions and Reports, Copy of passport/visa with entry & exit stamp, Personal ID Proof.
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For Baggage Loss
Claim forms, Property Irregularity Report (obtained from the Airline), Copies of correspondence with the airlines confirming the loss, Approximate cost of lost items, Copy of the passport/visa with entry & exit stamp, Personal ID Proof.
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For Trip Cancellation
Claim forms, Medical reports of the insured, a companion or an immediate family member, Details of the amount refunded by the common carrier and Hotel, Copy of flight ticket, Copy of passport, Personal ID proof.
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For Trip Delay
Claim forms, Original bills of expenses incurred during the period of delay, Copy of ticket & boarding Pass, Copies of Correspondence with the airline authorities certifying the delay, Copy of passport/visa with entry & exit stamp, Personal ID proof.
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For Other Claims
Claim Forms, Copy of the passport/visa with entry & exit stamp, Personal ID Proof, Policy Copy, Original bills and receipts and complaint copies, etc.
Travel Health Insurance: FAQs
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Q: Do I need to get any medical examination before I buy travel health insurance online?
Ans: No medical check-up is needed for travellers up to the age of 60 years to buy international travel health insurance. However, the age limit may differ from insurer to insurer. -
Q: Can I buy overseas travel and medical insurance with a pre-existing condition?
Ans: Mostly, pre-existing health conditions are not covered under travel medical insurance. However, if you buy pre-existing diseases add-on cover, your insurer will cover the medical expenses resulting from the declared diseases. -
Q: Can I buy health insurance for international travel after booking a flight?
Ans: Yes. You can buy health insurance for foreign travel after your flight tickets are booked. -
Q: Are travel health insurance and domestic health insurance the same?
Ans: No, international travel health insurance is not the same as health insurance. Health insurance for international travel covers only unforeseen medical emergencies and expenses incurred during the trip. A health insurance policy will cover you against medical adversities when you’re in India. It is generally not valid abroad. -
Q: How much does international health insurance cost?
Ans: You can find travel health insurance starting INR 19/day on Policybazaar.com. However, this cost depends on multiple factors, such as the age of the traveller, the purpose of travel, coverage opted for, etc. You can check a travel insurance calculator on Policybazaar.com to find the cost of an international health insurance for travel. -
Q: Is health insurance for tourist visa mandatory?
Ans: Yes, health insurance for tourist visa applications is mandatory for several countries, including all 29 Schengen member states in Europe (requiring minimum €30,000 medical coverage), Qatar, and certain long-term visitor visas. Even where optional, carrying an overseas medical insurance policy is strongly recommended to avoid exorbitant out-of-pocket hospital bills abroad. -
Q: Is there international travel medical insurance for Indian students studying abroad?
Ans: Yes, you can find international trip medical insurance for your course duration abroad. However, don’t forget international health insurance comparison before finalising a plan for your studies. -
Q: Can I buy international travel medical insurance online for my elderly mother?
Ans: Yes, you can buy travel health insurance for your elderly parents. Many insurers offer travel health insurance to senior citizens aged above 65-70 years. However, compare the plans on parameters such as the inclusion of pre-existing illness or other benefits before buying any one. -
Q: Is travel medical insurance for a Schengen visa mandatory?
Ans: Yes, international health insurance for travel is mandatory to get your Schengen visa. It should have a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000. -
Q: Can I buy health insurance for international travel after booking my flight?
Ans: Yes, you can buy health insurance for international travel anytime after booking your flight tickets, provided you purchase the policy before departing India. It is recommended to buy your policy as soon as your trip is confirmed so you can use the insurance document for visa applications. -
Q: Can I buy overseas travel medical insurance with a pre-existing condition?
Ans: Yes, you can buy overseas travel medical insurance if you have a pre-existing condition. While basic plans exclude pre-existing diseases (PED), you can buy an add-on cover for PED. This will protect you against life-threatening medical emergencies resulting from declared illnesses like high BP, asthma, diabetes, etc.
Travel Insurance Companies
Aditya Birla
Bajaj General
Care
Cholamandalam MS
Digit
Future Generali
HDFC ERGO
ICICI Lombard
IFFCO Tokio
IndusInd General
National Insurance
New India Assurance
Niva Bupa
Oriental
Royal Sundaram
SBI General
Shriram General
Star
Tata AIG
United India
Universal Sompo
Zurich Kotak
